His Flight Plan by Yvette Hines Page B

Brigitte gave her a pointed look. “You’ve got to be shittin’ me.”
    “I wish I was.”
    A waiter came by carrying a tray of glasses, and Kiera set her flute on top.
    “What in the blazes happened?” Brigitte whispered.
    “What always happens to me?” Kiera snagged her friend’s drink and took a large swallow from it. “I make terrible choices where men are concerned. My father once had a great aunt who never dated or married… I should take a page from my ancestor’s book.” Walking away, she headed across the room toward the bathroom. She needed to get herself together before the scowl she was sure she was wearing from the thoughts of Drake caused permanent creases.
    The clicking of heels behind her let her know that Brigitte was on her trail.
    She paused for a moment as a man she didn’t recognize crossed her path.
    “Kiera.”
    Glancing back over her shoulder, Kiera held a hand up. “I just need a moment.” Continuing on her way, she passed the main door and halted in her tracks, stumbling when someone stepped in front of her.
    Someone grabbed her arms, keeping her from falling. When she glanced up, her heart became just as immobile as her feet. Drake Rhine stood before her.
    “Hello, Kiera.”
    Taking in a shuddered breath, she jerked away from him. “What are you doing here?”
    She had to remind herself not to make a scene. There were too many people eyeing her because she was owner of the center as well as the fact she was Richard Branson’s daughter. Not only that, but Drake wasn’t alone. There was an African-American man beside him, one she recognized as the baggage claim agent from O’Hare.
    “Who are you?”
    Drake looked past her to Brigitte, who questioned him as she stepped up beside Kiera, then glanced back at her. His blue-gray eyes were intent on her as if no one else mattered.
    Clenching the stem of the glass in her hand, Kiera knew she couldn’t give in to the soft reaction to him.
    “Your father invited our company. We’re community business owners.” He pointed to the man who had walked passed her first. “That’s Vance, my brother, and you remember Antwan. He came on board as our scheduler.”
    After greeting Antwan, she turned to the male who resembled Drake in height and facial features.
    “Vance this is Richard Branson’s daughter.”
    Vance’s face displayed a wide smile and he held his hand out to her. “Nice to meet you.”
    She shook his hand. “Same here.” The last thing she wanted to do was stand here and play nice, but being rude wasn’t her style either. “Congratulations on your new airport.”
    Vance’s mouth tilted into a shy side smile. “Thanks.”
    “This is my friend Brigitte.” She introduced her friend to Vance. Not daring to even look at Drake.
    Stepping up, Brigitte greeted Vance first. “You all got the Harrisburg Airport, right?”
    “Yes,” Vance confirmed.
    After Brigitte shook hands with Vance and Antwan, she looked at Drake, but didn’t offer him her hand. “That must mean you’re Drake.”
    Her friend did what Keira couldn’t pull herself to do, bring the focus back to the man Kiera would have preferred to ignore.
    Giving him a side glance, she saw the dip of his brow. Drake had questions.
    Well, so do I .
    “I am.” Drake looked away from her friend and centered his gaze on Kiera. “If you all will excuse us, I really need to speak with Ms. Branson privately for a moment.”
    “Antwan and I will locate where to turn our pledge in.” Vance left.
    The airport scheduler followed suit after giving a targeted look to Drake.
    “Kiera?”
    It was Brigitte’s hand on her arm that pulled her attention from Drake’s. “It’s all right, Brigitte. I have a few things I would like to get off my chest.”
    Squeezing her arm, Brigitte reclaimed her drink and walked away.
    “Please?” He indicated a small nook by the entrance, still within view of the room, but it gave them a small amount of privacy as long as no one was